Young House Love Has A Podcast: Episode 24 – Mastering Kitchen Renovation, Decluttering & Boosting Home Value
Welcome back to Young House Love Has A Podcast! In this highly anticipated Episode #24, we’re unpacking a treasure trove of home improvement insights, design inspiration, and practical advice that will empower you to tackle your next project with confidence. We’re thrilled to sit down with our incredibly talented friends from the popular blog, Chris Loves Julia. They’re true renovation wizards, having successfully transformed three kitchens in just three years – including one jaw-dropping remodel completed in less than six days! Their candid experiences, valuable tips, and laugh-out-loud stories are an absolute must-listen for anyone contemplating a kitchen remodel, whether it’s a minor refresh or a complete overhaul.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there! We also dive into John’s latest organizing triumph: his ongoing progress in tidying up the shed. Prepare for some groundbreaking decluttering revelations that might just inspire your own home purge. And for those looking to sell their homes, we uncover surprising statistical data about paint colors that genuinely help sellers achieve top dollar – the results are definitely not what you might expect!
Don’t miss a single moment of this packed episode. You can easily download it from all your favorite platforms, including iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio. For instant listening, simply use the embedded player below. After you’ve soaked up all the audio goodness, make sure to return to this page. We’ve curated all the essential links, detailed notes, and inspiring photos we referenced during the show, making it easy for you to explore further and turn inspiration into action.
Transform Your Kitchen: Insights from Chris Loves Julia
Our featured guests, Chris and Julia Marcum, are renowned for their incredible talent in home renovation and design, inspiring countless homeowners through their beloved blog, Chris Loves Julia. In this episode, they share the fascinating journey behind their three kitchen transformations, offering unparalleled insights into the realities, challenges, and immense satisfaction of renovating a kitchen space. Their ability to complete a full kitchen makeover in just six days is nothing short of legendary, providing a masterclass in efficiency, planning, and design prowess.
They delve into the nitty-gritty of budgeting, timeline management, material selection, and navigating unexpected hurdles. Whether you’re considering a modern, traditional, or eclectic kitchen style, Chris and Julia’s advice is invaluable. They emphasize the importance of creating a functional yet beautiful space that truly serves the heart of the home. Their stories are not just instructional; they’re genuinely entertaining, filled with relatable moments that every DIY enthusiast or home renovator can appreciate.
Shed Organization & The Power of Decluttering

John’s Ingenious Scrap Lumber Organizer
- John gives us an exciting sneak peek into his latest DIY project: a functional and resourceful scrap lumber organizer for his shed. This isn’t just any organizer; it’s a testament to sustainable building, primarily constructed from the very materials it’s designed to hold! The beauty of this project lies in its practicality and its ability to bring order to what can often become a chaotic space. John discusses the process of designing and building the organizer, sharing tips on how to maximize storage in a workshop or shed using repurposed materials. It’s a brilliant example of how creativity and resourcefulness can transform clutter into a well-organized, accessible system for all your DIY endeavors.
Embracing the Joy of Less: Sherry’s Decluttering Journey
- Inspired by a powerful article, Sherry embarks on a transformative decluttering journey. We delve into “The Joy Of Less, 4 Decluttering Epiphanies That Have Changed My Life,” an article that serves as a catalyst for a deeper understanding of minimalism and mindful living. This segment explores the psychological and practical benefits of decluttering, moving beyond simply tidying up to truly re-evaluating one’s possessions and creating more intentional spaces. Sherry shares her personal revelations, discussing how shedding unnecessary items can lead to a lighter, more organized home and a clearer mind. This isn’t just about cleaning; it’s about cultivating a more peaceful and purposeful environment. You can find the inspiring article here: The Joy Of Less, 4 Decluttering Epiphanies That Have Changed My Life.
Paint Colors That Boost Home Value: Surprising Zillow Insights
Thinking about selling your home and wondering which paint colors will attract buyers and fetch a higher price? We explore fascinating findings from Zillow’s comprehensive analysis on how paint colors can significantly impact a home’s market value. The results are truly eye-opening and challenge many traditional beliefs about home staging colors. Prepare to be surprised as we reveal which hues statistically correlate with higher selling prices, and which ones might actually deter buyers or reduce your home’s perceived value. This segment is crucial for anyone preparing their home for sale, offering data-driven insights to make smart, strategic color choices that resonate with potential buyers and maximize your return on investment. Forget what you think you know about neutral palettes; these findings might just change your entire approach to preparing your home for the market.
Deep Dive with Chris & Julia Marcum: Renovation Experts
Our conversation with Chris and Julia Marcum goes beyond just kitchen renovations. Their entire body of work on their blog, ChrisLovesJulia.com, is a rich resource for home design, DIY projects, and relatable family life. We highly recommend exploring their captivating Instagram feed for daily inspiration and, of course, tuning into their own insightful podcast: The Chris Loves Julia Podcast with Preston Pugmire. Their dedication to sharing honest experiences, both the triumphs and the tribulations of home renovation, makes them incredibly valuable voices in the design community.
During our chat, we highlight a few of their most iconic projects. Above, you’ll find a captivating video showcasing a complete kitchen transformation achieved in an astonishing six days, a project that truly solidified their reputation for efficiency and style. Below, we’ve gathered before-and-after photos from their renowned Pittsburg Kitchen, a project that demonstrates their ability to reimagine and revitalize spaces with incredible speed and flair. To truly appreciate the scope and detail of this particular project, we encourage you to search for “Pittsburg Kitchen” on their blog, or directly visit these pivotal posts:
- For an unprecedented look at their meticulous planning and execution, check out The Schedule!
- Witness the stunning finished product and inspiring design choices in The Reveal!
- Gain a raw, honest perspective on the challenges and realities of such a fast-paced renovation in The Behind The Scenes!
Beyond the Pittsburg project, Chris and Julia have also shared extensive details about their current kitchen in Idaho, offering a glimpse into their evolving design aesthetic and functional needs. For those interested in their early days and design evolution, their first kitchen in Utah provides a fascinating look at where their renovation journey began.
What We’re Digging This Week: Aerial Art & Festive Finds
This week, we’re sharing a few of our current obsessions, from breathtaking photographic art that transports you to another world to charming personalized decorations perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Get ready to add some beauty and joy to your life and home!
Captivating Aerial & Beachy Photography
- We express our immense admiration for aerial and beach-inspired photography, a genre that offers unique perspectives and evokes a sense of wonder and tranquility. Here are the three incredible books and photographers that have captured our hearts:
- Christian Chaize’s Time And Tide: This exquisite collection of photographs, featuring serene beachscapes, brings a calm and artistic touch to any space. We loved it so much that a piece from this very collection found its home in our laundry room, adding an unexpected element of beauty to a functional space.
- Gray Malin’s Beaches: Known for his vibrant, whimsical aerial shots of beaches around the world, Gray Malin’s work is pure joy. His ability to capture the playful energy of holiday destinations from above is unparalleled. Be sure to also follow him on Instagram for a daily dose of his enchanting perspectives.
- Benjamin Grant’s Overview: This book presents a truly unique perspective of Earth, compiling incredible satellite images that highlight human impact and natural beauty from above. It’s both humbling and awe-inspiring. You can follow Benjamin Grant on Instagram for his “Daily Overview” or explore a stunning selection of preview photos of the book to see the world as you’ve never seen it before.
- Below is a remarkable example of Benjamin Grant’s artistry – an aerial image of Niagara Falls that beautifully illustrates the scale and majesty of our planet. So cool!
Charming Personalized Christmas Ornaments
- As the festive season approaches, Sherry shares her delightful discovery of personalized Christmas ornaments. These charming pieces add a unique and sentimental touch to your holiday decor, making them perfect keepsakes or thoughtful gifts. Below, you’ll find an image showcasing a selection of these beautiful ornaments that caught Sherry’s eye:

For those who love to add a personal touch to their holiday celebrations, here are the links to these adorable finds:
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 /11
(*And yes, those particularly cute foxes can be personalized on the back, adding an extra layer of charm!)
Psst! Have you heard us “digging” something in a previous episode but can’t quite remember which show notes to check? No worries! We’ve got you covered with a master list of everything we’ve ever been digging from all past episodes. It’s your ultimate resource for discovering new favorites in home decor, lifestyle, and more!
Sponsored by Annie Selke Companies

We are delighted to bring you this episode thanks to the generous support of The Annie Selke Companies. Known for their exquisite home furnishings, luxurious bedding, beautiful rugs, and stylish decor, Annie Selke offers timeless designs and exceptional quality that can transform any room into a sanctuary. From vibrant patterns to serene textures, their collections inspire comfort and elegance in every detail. Discover their full range of products and find inspiration for your own home at annieselke.com/yhl. As a special thank you to our listeners, use code YHL15 at checkout to receive 15% off your next order and bring some Annie Selke charm into your living space!
*Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and believe will add value to your life.